Austin Nichols Granted Conditional Transfer by Memphis

Memphis Tigers forward Austin Nichols indicated Tuesday he'll transfer after two seasons, and the Tigers have granted a conditional release after initially refusing to do so. Head coach Josh Pastner confirmed the team would be granting Nichols' request, according to ESPN's Jeff Goodman.

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports noted that the conditions of the transfer were that Nichols couldn't transfer to an AAC school, a school Memphis played or one of four to-be-named schools. 

Rob Dauster of Pro Basketball Talk provided a statement from Nichols' attorney Don Jackson, who spoke about the restrictions placed on his client:

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Memphis’ denial of his release is based upon a bad faith effort to deny his request to transfer,” Jackson wrote in an email that was sent to multiple media members on Tuesday. “The current NCAA regulations relative to member institution to member institution transfers violate the Sherman Act (as they illegally affect both the ‘input’ and ‘output’ markets).

Further, the restrictions are nothing more than a calculated effort to punish Austin’s family for his desire to transfer to a new program. Although the staff has attempted to imply ‘tampering,’ the broad nature of the restrictions clearly establishes that ‘tampering’ is not an issue; this is a calculated effort by a dysfunctional staff to punish a player for taking a step to remove himself from a failing program.

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On July 7, Goodman cited multiple sources in reporting Memphis did not plan to let Nichols get away.

John Martin of 92.9 FM ESPN had the exclusive of Nichols' decision to transfer, including a statement from the rising junior: "It was in the best interest of my family and I to decide to transfer from the University of Memphis. I want to thank everyone for supporting me in my two years at Memphis. The coaching staff, fans, family and friends. As for me, I think it's best if I move on from here."

Nichols missed Tuesday's workouts and wasn't in attendance for a mandatory team meeting on Monday, per Martin. The big man led Memphis with 13.3 points per game last season to go with 6.1 rebounds and 3.4 blocks in 27 contests.

Since Nichols will be a true junior in 2015-16, he'll have to sit out a year before being able to play elsewhere. Memphis has created an unsavory predicament for itself because denying a transfer request all but ensures Nichols won't return.

Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv made an interesting point regarding the 2013 class for Memphis: 

With a fresh start on a team he wants to play for, Nichols figures to be rejuvenated the next time he's on the hardwood. Evan Daniels of Scout.com noted that he'd already heard from "15 high-major programs" regarding the talented big man. 

The former 5-star recruit, per 247Sports, has already shown flashes of dominance and is bound to thrive wherever he lands.